MY R36 is on the Vessel!!

[Steve]

I haven't heard of anybody having driven one of the production vehicles yet.

The only other car in the R36 price bracket I want is the 135i, and it's too small

[ralphk]

Could be wrong Steve but

WRX STI
Liberty H6 or GT
HSV
FPV

if size is an issue
Hummer H3
Landcruiser
Pajero

I think any of these can be had for a similar price.

Oh yes I do agree, I would ideally like an M3 but willing to settle for a 335. I did suggest to the dealer to drop a digit of the price tag..

[Steve]

I looked at those and discounted them... the criteria were:

1) Smaller than my Commodore wagon.
2) Smaller than Dad's Q7.
3) Smaller than my 80 series Landcruiser.
4) Larger than Mum's Golf GTI.
5) Quicker than my Commodore, and more fuel efficient.
6) Able to carry golf clubs, swag, camping gear, and so on.
7) Not an Australian made car.
Eight) Cheaper than a Q7.

The Liberty GT was the only other realistic option other than the Passat, but I didn't like the small boot or interior quality or ride or looks or sound. Because I'm going halves with the parents, their input was important and they both wanted something European and mid sized. They hated the awful standard seats in the diesel and V6 Passat, Mum missed the DSG paddles in the V6, and Dad liked the sound of the RNS510 with reversing camera (like his Q7 has).

Looking at the Passat, I didn't like a lot of things about the diesels and the V6, but the R36 fixed all that at a price similar to that of a V6 optioned as we want and we get proper seats too!

The wait is irritating me. Mum has been overseas for the past few months so I've been driving her GTI more than I usually do, but she gets back next week and I'll have to dust off the boat (Commodore) :/

[Cro]

There really isn't any other car like the R36 in the price bracket..
WRX STI / EVO Lancer- Too small and boy racer + bland&featureless interior
Liberty GT - Too slow and featureless interior
HSV & FPV - Pathetic Australian build "quality", featureless interior, only 4 star ANCAP safety and a depreciation nightmare.
335 - Too small & expensive
It seems anything in a like size with some performance is a massive price jump away..
S6, M5, etc..
The R36 sits right between the Liberty, HSV/FPV and the S6/M5 markets which is probably the reason so many of us are sticking to our orders.

If VWA decide to hold deliveries whilst the cars are in the country I wonder how many of us will say stuff it and comprimise on the HSV/FPV/Liberty/etc products. I know I don't want my future car exposed to the elements, and depreciating whilst I'm paying full price for it. I also would have been able to cancel my order and re-order a wagon if they are going to be delivered at the same time.

[ralphk]

Depreciation is always a good question. I do 40000+ per year so anything I have depreciates like mad...no exception yet.

Steve sounds like you have talked yourself into waiting. Me on the other hand busy looking at options. Had a look at the new FG today, not bad. The XR6T is about 20k cheaper and it is quicker then the R36. I am sure ample boot space for golf clubs and same gearbox as BMW and Aston Martin I understand. So if you say 70k for R36 and 50% depreciaiton over 3 years the car would be worth 35k representing a 35k drop, if XR6T is 50K and depreciates 60% in same time than it would be worth 20k so drop of 30k.

Anyway at the end of the day it is a personal choice

[Vene]

Just got confirmation my car is booked for shipment.....looks like its on the second shipment which is due end of June about a month after the first one. Not long now...

[Cro]

Mine just showed up on WW's website, it's nearing France already
Cargo Status History

Cargo Id : WVWZZZ3CZ8Exxxxxx

Booking Number : DEBRB6xxxxx Bill Number :

Vessel: DON CARLOS Port of origin : BREMERHAVEN

Voyage : EE812-DOC Port of Destination : PORT KEMBLA
Priority : Customer Ref. Nbr:


BREMERHAVEN GERMANY 30/04/2008 03/05/2008
ZEEBRUGGE BELGIUM 05/05/2008 05/05/2008
LE HAVRE FRANCE 06/05/2008 07/05/2008
SOUTHAMPTON UNITED KINGDOM 08/05/2008 08/05/2008
PORT ELIZABETH SOUTH AFRICA 23/05/2008 23/05/2008
EAST LONDON SOUTH AFRICA 24/05/2008 24/05/2008
DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA 25/05/2008 25/05/2008
REUNION ISLE STDENIS REUNION 29/05/2008 29/05/2008
FREMANTLE AUSTRALIA 07/06/2008 07/06/2008
MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 12/06/2008 12/06/2008
PORT KEMBLA AUSTRALIA 14/06/2008 14/06/2008
BRISBANE AUSTRALIA 16/06/2008 16/06/2008

[Vene]

Guys...what do you guys think of the seats? I'm not entirely convinced with the san remo micro-fibre seatback and cushion.....

Sure it won't be as cold as leather in winter but it might eventually wear down and leave bald patches. Not a good look.

[Steve]

Just got confirmation my car is booked for shipment.....looks like its on the second shipment which is due end of June about a month after the first one. Not long now...

There's already at least two shipments... the Aida and the Trinidad. The Trinidad is expected to arrive in Melbourne on May 24, a few days before the Aida.

Mine is on the Trinidad... I've been away for a few days but the last time I looked on Vessel Tracker it was nearing the Suez Canal.

BREMERHAVEN GERMANY 19/04/2008 19/04/2008
ZEEBRUGGE BELGIUM 21/04/2008 21/04/2008
LE HAVRE FRANCE 22/04/2008 22/04/2008
SOUTHAMPTON UNITED KINGDOM 23/04/2008 23/04/2008
FREMANTLE AUSTRALIA 19/05/2008 20/05/2008
MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 24/05/2008 24/05/2008
PORT KEMBLA AUSTRALIA 26/05/2008 26/05/2008
BRISBANE AUSTRALIA 28/05/2008 28/05/2008
AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND 01/06/2008 01/06/2008

With regards to the seats, I like 'em. I don't really mine they might wear in places because I hate full leather so the wear is a secondary issue, if it's an issue at all. We'll see, I guess!

[RWK]

Read and watch this...

http://www.caradvice.com.au/12417/vi...4703-new-cars/

I wish the WW vessels don't do the same.